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David Archuleta Wikipedia

David James Archuleta (born December 28, 1990) is an American singer-songwriter and actor. At ten years old, he won the children's division of the Utah Talent Competition leading to other television singing appearances.[6] When he was twelve years old, Archuleta became the Junior Vocal Champion on Star Search 2.[6] In 2007, at sixteen years old, he became one of the youngest contestants on the seventh season of American Idol.[7] In May 2008 he finished as the runner-up, receiving 44 percent of over 97 million votes.

Charities David Supports

Once a Fangirl, Always a Fangirl ~ David Archuleta

Posted by bebereader on Thursday, September 15, 2011

It makes perfect sense that I would help run a fan site. Growing up in the seventies in New York City, I was the ultimate fangirl. I used my allowance to buy tickets to see Broadway plays and when the curtain went down, I waited at the stage door for a glimpse of the stars. Every month I bought a stash of movie magazines. I knew the exact day they were due to hit the newsstands. On the way home from school I stopped at the candy store for an egg cream (which has no eggs in it, by the way), a pretzel and brand new copies of Photoplay and Rona Barrett’s Hollywood magazines and anything else that drew my attention. I carried my magazines home in a flat brown paper bag, careful not to make a crease in them. A few years later, I started going to concerts: Three Dog Night, Chicago, Rod Stewart, Billy Joel, Elvis, The Temptations and Elton John. I saw Kenny Rogers at Westbury, where David had the last show on his Christmas Tour. But after I saw the movie “Love Story” I became a fan of Ryan O’Neal and had to read everything I could get my grabby hands on about him. There was an ad to join his official fan club in the back of a magazine. I sent the $1 membership fee and soon after an envelope arrived containing official membership material – an 8×10 black and white autographed glossy picture, a membership card and a newsletter. I was an official fan! Ryan’s autograph was of course *coughforrealzcough*.

Back then, those items were the closest you could get to the object of your admiration. There was no world wide web with livestream, Ustream, or any stream to see an airport arrival in real time. There were no vlogs or blogs, VIPs, Twitter, YouTubes, tumblrs, text messages or DVDs. Seeing their movies repeatedly, playing their records ad infinitim, going to tapings of their TV shows or to multiple concerts was about all you could do to keep up with them. I couldn’t entertain the idea of ever meeting or talking to Ryan; it just didn’t happen back then. I wrote him a fan letter and “he” replied: “Dear Bebe, Thank you for your interest. Fondly, Ryan O’Neal.” Ryan, Can you get any more generic? It was an impersonal relationship.

I’m not a teen anymore but I never stopped being a fangirl. Fandom is still very much a part of my life but the difference is that now it’s a more productive emotion for me and drives me to write articles about a certain handsome singer with an angelic voice. Being a fan girl is like being in this over-stimulated state where I am compelled to write words like “OH WOW!!“ or “AWESOME” and “AMAZING” and to use exclamation points like they‘re going out of style!!! I find myself repeating words a lot like, “really really really” and “very very very”! The truth is that I spazz at the sight of David Archuleta, even in a picture.

Technology today makes it easy to have a more personal relationship but that is not why David is so endearing to me. The relationship he chooses to have with his fans, the way he treats us, the respect he shows us is beyond what any other celebrity I have ever fangirled about has ever done for their fans. He makes himself accessible to us at VIPs and book signings, where you can meet him. He tweets about what he had for lunch, encourages us to try new foods, recommends music he thinks we’d like, gives great advice that people of any age can learn from. He reminds us that it’s more gratifying to give than to receive and that if we have a dream we should ‘go for it!‘ He treats all his fans as equals and with the same degree of respect, no matter the age, race, color or religion. He accepts us as we are; all of us; and through being a fan of his we are better than we were before.

By the time we’re adults, aren’t we supposed to move on to more adult stuff like writing critiques? The answer to that is no. As adults we are supposed to do whatever we damn please. I’m still the same person with the same likes and dislikes as when I was a teenager. I’m still a concert junkie. I still like to go to Broadway plays, see movies, read magazines, try new foods. I still like to watch the sun come up in the morning, go for long drives, get together with family and friends, take pictures, read good books. I still despise cleaning out my closets, going to the dentist or ironing. My taste in music hasn’t changed because I’ve gotten older. I didn’t turn into a fan of Frank Sinatra or Lawrence Welk just because I’m not a teenager anymore. I have the same taste in music that I had when I was a teen except the only music coming out of my speakers now is that of David Archuleta’s. Why listen to anybody else when I hit the jackpot? After being a fan of many singers, I finally found the one voice that takes me to heaven and back. David is a light that guides me home. Ryan may as well have been a stick figure or a figment of my imagination because he never got closer to me than 3,000 miles, on the opposite coast. David, however, is just as far in mileage but he is so close to my heart.

125 Responses to “Once a Fangirl, Always a Fangirl ~ David Archuleta”

bebereadersaid

To all those going to the Arizona show, you must be bouncing off the walls at the thought of seeing The Voice on Saturday! Safe travels and please stay in touch, if at all possible. You know how we love details. :)

We will be here to give you up to date accounts of all that is happening.

Awww….nice article Bebe. I’m a New Yorker who grew up in the 70’s too. Although I probably fangirled the most for Donny Osmond and saw Rod Stewart, MJ in concert and went to plays cause my mother worked in the Palace Theater, I think you were a bigger fangirl than me. LOL. I did buy teeny bopper magazines like Fave, 16 and Tigerbeat and had posters on my walls of Donny (haha). Now, David has stolen my heart and I don’t want it back. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

Jen Asaid

Bebe loved your article so much! I still have an autographed pic of John Denver I sent away for in the mid 70’s. It’s in a folder with a couple of DA autographed photos on top. When I was in high school we would go on the bus from NJ into the city and wait at TKTS for whatever cheap Broadway show seats were available. I think I have always embraced my inner fangirl. **waves to all, real life has been unbelievable**

Ah, Bebe, you ARE the ultimate fangirl! Lucky you in NYC cause I’m basically from the sticks & didn’t get near that much entertainment/Broadway/concerts. The best I can come up with is James Taylor & Rolling Stones in college which admittedly is pretty good. Also, got to see Linda Ronstadt FREE on the quadrangle in my hippy years and The Four Tops FREE at a dance. At any rate, love your descriptions & wish I had some of your experiences! The only autograph I have is from Bear Bryant. I take that back, I now have one from David, but didn’t actually see him sign it.

Frank & Lawrence don’t do it for me, either, but I do have a soft spot for Perry Como. My early musical crushes were the Beatles (George, mainly) and Peter Noone (Herman’s Hermits for you younger people). My favorite male singers (& I truly have been racking my brain to decide what female singers I put into favorites) are (in no particular order): James Taylor, John Denver, Andrea Bocelli, Perry Como (of course) and David Archuleta (of course). And, yes, I do feel more of a kindred spirit with David because of the availability technology gives us to have a “conversation” (albeit a one-sided conversation, Marylee — that’s for you — haha) even if just in a few words on twitter or through a vlog. And, yes, the VIP opportunity to actually talk to David is wonderful though I squandered the only opportunities I had. Dumbstuck – Awestruck – now coined as “deer in Archuglow” syndrome.

You really should put a warning about the picture above, ya know! Love your post!!!

sweetonDAsaid

Bebe, love your article. It brings back so many memories but not all are good. Remember when the Beatles were just getting big in the US? I bought a poster of them and put it up on my wall so I could just stare at Paul, he was my dream boyfriend. LOL When my dad got home he ripped the poster off the wall and tore it up. He thought they were just punks and didn’t want me idolizing them. That was just the start of a horrible night. My pregnant Doxie got hit by a car and died and my mom was in the hospital, so I didn’t even have my mom for comfort. I guess that had an effect on me because I didn’t fangirl over anyone else until……..You got it! David!!!!! There’s those pesky exclamation points :)

Nobody’s taking David away from me and I mean NOBODY!!! It’s just like you said, “I finally found the one voice that takes me to heaven and back. David is a light that guides me home.”

2 more days!!!!!!! *dyingherewishingtodaywassaturday*

SandyBeachessaid

Bebe, what a refreshing, enjoyable article. I will read it again though from my iphone for certain somewhere along the road. Keep a light in the window so that we will find our way home!! Well, we are not out at sea but you know what I mean.

I’ve got my hockey bag all packed and my husband added two small hockey sticks and hockey balls for the guys in their down time when on the road (hotel floor hockey).

Have I forgotten anything?

Bye for now,

SB

skydancer1xsaid

Awww Bebe, I love this article you wrote.You made me remember the movie magazines, teen magazines, and getting together with my best friends to gush over pictures of the latest singer, or movie stars. We would spend rainy afternoons just cutting out pictures and pasting them in scrapbooks. and that ,is as close as we ever got, to ever meeting any of them. We just swooned or daydreamed about them. They never became real…and were really ,never accessible to their fans.
Sure is a whole new ballgame now. So happy,that David shares as much as he does with us. He has brought out my inner fangirl, dusted her off, and given her something to squeeee about! (she was very bored before he came along):)

skydancer1xsaid

On a side note here, as much as I hate to think about it I will not be going to Az. tomorrow.:(
Just wanted to let you guys know….I am very disappointed, but know I made the right decision.
David, well, he will just have to wait to meet me a little bit longer:) but he WILL meet me!

“cause I don’t always get everything I want
it doesn’t turn out just the way I thought
it ought to be…. I still have David♥ I can’t complain”

So sorry you can’t make it. I was so looking forward to meeting you. Another time for sure. Take care and get better soon. ♥

Bebe,

Love this article. I was addicted to teen fan magazines, couldn’t get enough of the Beatles, or any of the British bands, the Monkees, or sigh…David McCallum in his younger years in The Man from Uncle. We were all day dream believers then. David finally got me believing again that life didn’t have to get boring, as Sky said. lol.

bebereadersaid

It turns out that all my life I was practicing to be a fangirl for the most worthy of all the celebrities I ever fangirled about!

Marylee!!!!!! OH WOW!!! You had it for Ryan too?!!! :)

Pabuckie, We grew up in the same city at the same time! Let’s hear it for The Big Apple, the culture capital of the world. So much to do here, we were never bored. I remember taking the subway with friends to Rockefeller Center to watch the ice skaters and then taking a tour of NBC Studios. I had it bad back then, too. LOL

Jen A, I stood in line at TKTS in freezing temps, too, just to get a ticket to a Broadway show. Not sure if it’s still there and doubt if I’d wait on that line now. PS I was a huge fan of John Denver too!

Thanks Bluebird! For living in the ‘sticks’ as you call it, you sure got to see some top entertainment! I always wanted to see The Stones but that never happened. I’m hoping for more M&Gs with David, maybe on the Christmas Tour. You can do it, Bluebird. If I did it you can do it too! Ask Abs what a basketcase I was before my first VIP and I did fine. Mostly.

Doesn’t he look awesome in that pic up top?!?!?!
By the way, I had so much fun with the pics in this article. I did them all by myself thanks to an awesome site found by Abrra.

SweetonDA, So sorry about your Dad ripping down your poster of The Beatles. (Reminded me of the time my Dad threw away my sister’s torn jeans, thinking they were rags. She worked so hard to get the holes in the knees and the fraying at the bottom. This was the 1970s, after all; you couldn’t buy your jeans that way.) Sorry too about your Mom being in the hospital at that time, and about your dog. That you didn’t fangirl about anyone else until David came along says a lot about the magnetic pull he has with us.

SandyBeaches, Several of us unfortunately cannot make it to Arizona. We will be here, “minding the store”, hungry for any info you can send us in the way of tweets texts pic emails. Have a safe and fun trip. The light is always in the window for your safe return home.

{{{{{{{{{Sky}}}}}}}}}, I won’t be going to AZ either. :( Hang out here with us while we hang on to any crumb of info sent our way.

You brought such great memories back! I had forgotten about all the scrapbooks I made! And that was before scrapbooking was even considered an art form.

Heidijoysaid

Bebe, Enjoyed the trip down memory lane. I remember when we listened to singers on the radio on Evening and tried to figure out what they looked like. ha! Then there was the Ed Sullivan show which opened up a whole new world of seeing entertainers debut their talents. Then came Perry Como ,Andy Griffin etc. Most of the music I enjoyed was dance music and boy did we dance in my high school days. (mostly swing=Clinton Hop) The songs and stars of the 50’s for HS and College.
We didn’t many big names in Iowa! but I was named after a singer Leah Rae from the Phil Harris Big Band era. My folks danced to many big bands. In the sixties, I was out in Seattle and dancing was very popular. I did fangirl over Triny Lopez for awhile and felt honored that Roy Orbison sang a song about Leah. Back to the Midwest in the 70’s and we did get a big theatre here near home and I saw Rod Stewart,Elton John and others. Fast forward to 2008 American Idol. I was disappointed Melinda Doolittle didn’t win and kind of blamed it on the teenagers. Up pops David Archuleta on my screen and boom he has me at Hello. It was during that season that I became aware of fan sites and reading what others had to say. I voted for all the time allotted and I was a fan girl in short order and haven’t looked back. I flew to Reno by myself not knowing anyone and stood in line for at least 9 hours with other fans that understood. I flew to Utah last year and met more lovely fans and had a once in a lifetime experience that I relive every evening now when I watch the GCT DVD. I play his CD in my car vs. listening to the radio and I follow several sites, twitter,vote, post on non fan sites to show support. I think maybe I’ve gone beyond fangirl. (and I love it) One of my other favorite David memories is taking 10 family members age 10-70 to a concert. My family thought I had gone off my rocker when I flew to Reno, but have since mellowed some.

sorry you are not going to Arizona Skyscraper. Am happy for you SB and others that are going.

MTsaid

Bebe
LOVE the article! It does bring back memories… For me it was the The Almond Brothers, Moody blues, Rod Stewart … but never with the type of attachment and interest in artist like David. And this …

“I have the same taste in music that I had when I was a teen except the only music coming out of my speakers now is that of David Archuleta’s. Why listen to anybody else when I hit the jackpot?”

That’s me, too. His is the only music I bother to buy or listen to these days, unless I’m forced to listen to the radio.

For those of you going to AZ this weekend, have a blast guys!! I will be here, waiting for all the little details to surface. Don’t forget to feed the kiddies back home. :)

I’m having grandchildren for the weekend, of all times!! I love them to pieces but they keep me busy. I’ll pop in when I can to see how things are going and will catch up as I can.

Bebe, Abrra, and all the others who help by bringing things here, I know you’ll be holding down the fort and posting things as they come in so, from those of us at home, thanks. ♥

silverfoxsaid

Really enjoyed your article! It brought back so many memories of a time when I would rush home from school to watch American Bandstand & my favorite idol of that particular week perform. My favorites changed from week to week, from Bobby Rydell, Fabian, Frankie Avalon, Bobby Vee and also the Motown stars like the Shirelles & The Supremes and so many others. I too, had posters decorating my walls & couldn’t wait to buy the Teen & 16 Magazines to get the scoop on my favorites. Such good times. Then I got older & my taste changed to Elvis, Englebert, & yes…Tom Jones. Then the Beatles came along and so on & so on. Then I got married and my fan days were over. Until quite unexpectedly, something happened over three years ago when someone remarkable changed my life. His name was David Archuleta & I knew I would be a fan for life.

I have been a fan of many celebrities in my lifetime but never expected to fall completely under the spell of a 17 year old singer as I was entering the 6th decade of life. WTH!! But here I am with the rest of you thoroughly enjoying being a fan of David. I can’t imagine going back to life before David. :D

Bebe I love your article–you are so lucky to have grown up where you did, with so many opportunities to see theater and singers.

Where I grew up –and– still abide— movie stars and singers may as well have been on Mars–so I never was a fan of anyone until David. I liked the music of several groups it just never occurred to me to be a fan. I am so grateful for this amazing young man coming into my life and creating this older fan girl—and what fun it has been. I fit right in to your definition:

“Being a fan girl is like being in this over-stimulated state where I am compelled to write words like “OH WOW!!“ or “AWESOME” and “AMAZING” and to use exclamation points like they‘re going out of style!!

Sky— :( I’m so sorry that your plans didn’t work out—your day will come!!

To everyone going—HAVE A BLAST!—Will be sitting on the edge of my seat–waiting for the slightest whisper from you.

betsysaid

Bebe! I love this article. So much fun.
I was a huge fangirl, always have been. From a young age, too. I never got to buy the magazines (too many kids in our family) but my best friend did, and I never missed anything. For me, it was always David Cassidy, then his brother Sean, then all Motown singers (I am from Motown and it’s what I grew up with), and in my teen years I fangirled John Denver, Billy Joel and Elton John. There are many more. My 6 older sisters had a “husband wall” with the Beatles pictures on it. While I loved their music, I never thought of them the same way.
Oh my gosh I just saw the picture to the left of my comment and was distracted.
Anyway.
Like I said. Fangirl.
My husband always quotes a line from the movie It’s a Wonderful Life. “You like all the boys” lol. He is bad! Of course, I always say “What’s wrong with that?”
There is nothing wrong with that. :)

By the way, the only poster I had on my wall was Mark Fidrych. <33
Oh, one more thing. I think that younger people nowadays are very lucky. They aren't missing much. Many have actually met David numerous times, and are lucky enough to hear him sing. He signs everything they bring him. Can you even imagine being their age and meeting him? Lucky. :)

Bebe, thanks for the stroll down memory lane! I would quote some of my favorite parts, but I’d be quoting the whole post! Love it all!
My favorites were Elvis and Neil Diamond. Got to go see them both in concert. Have all kinds of things “Elvis”, and now a good collection of David things. Knowing David has taken me to a whole new world I didn’t know existed…utube,itunes, etc. It’s fun and I won’t ever quit being his fan.
Back in the 50’s we would sit around and talk about what was in the Photoplay mag about all the stars like we knew them. The Eddie, Debbie and Liz triangle, etc. Now we actually interact with them! Isn’t technology fun!!
Sorry for the ones that can’t go to AZ. Hope you can in the near future. Still waiting for those tour dates!
Betsy, I think I’m lucky to meet him even at my age! lol
I’m really antsy about Az tomorrow. Hope I sleep tonight. It’ll be fun meeting everyone that’s going. See ya tomorrow.

tawna21said

bebe—super article! I fangirled. I sent off for autographs. I bought teen magazines. I had a pen pal in England that I swapped mags with (can’t even remember her name now). I had a wall full of posters. And, I purchased and listened endlessly to vinyl records. I, too, still like the same music as I did back then, but three years ago I added a new artist to my list. His songs are put on repeat over and over.

I even named my oldest son after Ryan O’Neal. Seriously. I was pregnant and trying to decide on a name. Finally settled on Brian. Then I drove past a movie marquee and saw Ryan O’Neal’s name and it hit me like a brick wall. My baby, at that, moment became Ryan, if it was a boy. My husband laughed when I told him I had changed the name and how I had come across it. I don’t think I ever did pick out a girl’s name.

For those of you heading to AZ—have a really, really, awesome and amazing (there’s those words, bebe) time with the archuglow that will be surrounding the stage because David is up there, and with each other!!

Sky, please get feeling better ♥

Tawna

poofsaid

Oh Bebe, so many beautiful words….. David is a light that guides me home. Isn’t it just amazing you feel that way.
I have a story…. I have never been a fangirl type so the few friends that know the extent of my fangirling for David are kind of confused. One good friend, the other day, asked me just what it was about David that made me care sooo much. Loving the open door to share, I began listing “our list” of why David is so exceptional. Her eyes kept getting bigger. Then I said, without even thinking, ” David loves, loves, loves music. And when David sings, his Joy overflows his heart and floods straight into mine!” We both looked startled and said “Wow!” at the same time. I don’t think she is confused any more LOL.

I look forward to hearing about the concert. Enjoy, you lucky people!!

cbsaid

Bebe,thanks for a great article that really made me think.
I was always a huge lover of music and It has always been a big part of my life. When I was in elementary I saved my lunch money and bought albums ($3.33). Through the years I bought a lot of music and went to a lot of concerts. I enjoyed, and listened to the music of many bands, and singers, and genres. But, I was just a fan of the music, not the really the singers. I’m not like that, I thought. (LOL, little did I know)
On season 7 of AI I heard a voice, a voice like I had never heard before. For the fist time I laid my eyes on a young man named David Archuleta.
I became a huge fan of that voice and the way he interpreted a song right away. I thought that what he was doing was way beyond his years. How did someone so young sing a song with all that feeling? When he sang “Imagine,” I was blown away, and for the first time, I looked him up on the internet. I needed to hear that song again. I needed to understand what had just happened.
Along came the night that David got lost on the lyrics, and I was devastated. What? It wasn’t just his voice? That night I knew! I loved not just the voice but this kid too. I was a Fan! Capital F A N! I watched every single night of the season and was on the edge of my seat when David sang. I was excited to hear him sing, but I was a bundle of nerves until he had finished and I could breathe a sigh of relief. I voted, and voted, something I had never done before (or since). I was a goner. A fan girl of the first order! A lifer. Who would have thunk it?
Fast forward three and a half years and… Arizona here I come! LOL What a journey this has been!
Although all our experiences and back grounds are a bit different, I know you guys understand what I am saying. Isn’t it great?

Hi Vpeeps~ want to give a little update on Jacob. He is doing a little better. Yay! The tubes were removed. That seems like a positive step. The new antibiotic seems to be working.

I don’t know Jacob very well. He & my daughter went to high school together & have always kept in touch. She also worked with his wife Gretchen at the Bible House.

I so appreciate all the good thoughts & prayers from all of you. I told my daughter what a wonderful bunch you are. She said to thank you all too. I told her all of David’s fans are just great people.

Poof, I appreciate your offer to help.

Well, 2 more sleeps & we get to see David!!!! If it’s at all possible I’m gonna try to video 1 song. I’m usually so mesmerized I don’t blink for fear of missing anything. But I’m going to see if I can do it.

Love to you all, Annie

bebereadersaid

HeidiJoy, Thanks for your comment! “Up pops David Archuleta on my
screen and boom he has me at Hello.” Ain’t that the truth? It didn’t take much. He sang a few bars at his audition and he had us, hook, line and sinker!

MT, “For me it was the The Almond Brothers, Moody blues, Rod Stewart
… but never with the type of attachment and interest in artist like David.”
So true, MT. Nobody has held my interest as much as David.

Abs, “I don’t think I learned anything as useful from The Beatles ;)”
What did we get from The Beatles? Music.
What do we get from David? Music with a voice that envelops your soul,
plus a whole lot more.

Silverfox, “…something happened over three years ago when someone
remarkable changed my life. His name was David Archuleta & I knew I
would be a fan for life.” Absolutely! Do you realize that we are on this ride
going on four years? American Idol Season 7 was January 2008. Where
does the time go?

Dak, One of the most remarkable things David has given us is a fan
community of so many wonderful people to spazz with at live shows, here online, live shows, on fansites, in chatrooms, on Twitter, on text or phone. He is
probably unaware of all the lasting friendships he has created.

Betsy, I had a feeling you were a fangirl like me. We would have had so
much fun together. LOL This: “I think that younger people nowadays are very lucky. They aren’t missing much. Many have actually met David numerous times, and are lucky enough to hear him sing. He signs everything they bring him. Can you even imagine being their age and meeting him? Lucky.” <<< They certainly have it a lot easier than we did. It was always a dream of mine to run into a movie star when I was in Manhattan. It never happened.

Jans, "Back in the 50′s we would sit around and talk about what was in the
Photoplay mag about all the stars like we knew them…Now we actually
interact with them! Isn’t technology fun!!" <<< That's exactly what we did.
We took comfort in knowing that they were out there somewhere, even
though there was no chance of meeting.

Tawna, We are all a lot alike in little and big ways. There's more
commonality among David fans that keeps us together. Ha! We even
fangirled over the same celebrities when we were teens!

skydancer1xsaid

Lots of fun this morning reading and rereading everyone’s comments. Anyone remember ” Cotillion”??
Girls on one side of the room, boys on the other..I remember dancing with the cutest guy, my first slow dance in 7th grade(woo hoo junior high!) all dressed up,wearing gloves,(no joke) to “Blue Velvet” by Bobby Vincent.The adults in charge would wander the floor with a ruler to make sure everyone stayed the proper ‘distance’ Apart.HA! ah Bobby Vincent…’Red roses for a Blue Lady’
SF, when you mentioned Bobby Vee, it trigger B.Vincent.)

One thing we all had in common, was an abundance of great music through the 50’s,60’s 70’s and 80’s….

enter David Archuleta…a rare combination of musical talent who throws out his lasso, and ropes us all in♥ covering the songs of our past, present and future,waking up that inner fangirl.
For all of you going to Arizona,”fangirl” for all of us! Big time! And have a BLAST!

skydancer1xsaid

madelinesaid

I could not agree with you more!! I’m an old person (73) but extremely young at heart. I do the very same things you do and love every moment of it. I’ve been to David’s concerts, Christmas Shows and can’t get enough of this young man’s voice and HEART!! THANKS so much for writing what you believe in. Please continue to be his fangirl and I know I will do the same.

Bebe…this is my favorite article you’ve written. :) I smiled and instantly related…apparently, we’re not only “Archu-compadres”, but in our fangirl history too. It brought so much of my own fangirl roots to mind, but I’m trying not to make this comment longer than the article (yea, good luck with that.) As I scanned this article, my first thought was of being a young girl & devouring Rona Barrett’s Hollywood, then saw you wrote that, LOL. My first “real magazine” after comic books phased out, I then went on to Tiger Beat & other teen mags. Discovering AM pop radio, scouring the top 40 listings (which my dad’s printing company printed and he’d bring home weekly to me.) Saving to buy albums whenever there was the next “All-records On-sale.”
From the Monkees straight to Neil Diamond for me (my “David” then in terms of undivided devotion to one performer’s music.) I once reflected how funny it was…when I “got hooked” on Neil I was only just about 13 and way younger than his older demographic…I just liked his writing and humble, reflective persona back then (sound familiar?)…it spoke to me, though my friends thought I was “weird” to like his music then. Now my friends think I’m weird to be in the “older demographic” of a “too young” performer…but same thing is true today…I just go where the music touches me…who cares about the rest?!!
Then came 70’s rock bands–Bad Company, Styx, Bob Seger, & all the ones you mention. Back then we had to get up early when tix went on sale, stand in line at box-offices with wrist-bands (sorta like VIP now, I guess) I still sometimes prefer this to fighting online for tix with the big bad giant Ticketmaster. I was happy when I got to go up to Foxwood’s “in person” and was the only one there early to get 4th row for CFTH, did better than I’d ever been able to do online.
I too loved musical theater etc. My first and still favorite job memories through high school & college were of the open-air summer theater-in-the-round I worked at, (similar line-ups to Westbury then), where headliners played 6 shows a week…I devoured the shows nightly, learning who kept things fresh, who was more canned and other interesting tidbits of what went on behind the scenes. Met some of the performers, our staff sometimes did things like charity softball games with them or an occasional backstage party. It also shaped my perspective on the “stars” as just people and kept things real. Similarly, I appreciate how David conducts himself in the realm of fame…keepin’ it real with the fans, and they respect him back for it.
The crazy 80’s brought fangirling for the likes of Rick Springfield and REO Speedwagon (loved when David jammed with them.)
Music started to change after that…rock no longer had the oompf like in the 70’s and “Neil&I” (tho’ he’ll always hold a big place in my fangirl history) had passed our “prime-time” together (he’s still the only performer I’ve seen more than David…but give me time, DA’s catching up quickly.) I turned to country, that I’d always liked & was hitting a new stride in the 90’s; I love a good melody and meaningful lyric and found it in that genre. That was it…for a while… ‘Til, outta the blue, along comes this amazing singer who brought something new, (to something “old”),and though I’d long since thought I’d outgrown the best of my fangirl days, I couldn’t deny what I was hearing and feeling in the way he brought music to a different place for me. Wow, a whole new thing, along with all the new ways to experience it you mention…awesome.
I still love music that moves me, interesting performers that intrigue me, a great concert, the thrill of a Live show and how a performer “changes up” your favorite music…all of it.
All fangirling aside, David Archuleta brings the most I’ve ever seen to that universal experience.

Thanks for such a fun & thought-provoking article, Bebe…and pls forgive this long post, (I’ll be mortified to see how big this is) but I couldn’t resist. …oh well…a way to fill the “lull” leading up to AZ. I’ll shut up now…but…You started it!! :)

ok and one squeeeeing fangirl moment now…feeling excitement for (and SO wishing I was one of) those of you driving and boarding planes today..with all that anticipation…vicariously thrilling with ya~~I don’t have to say “have a blast”…that doesn’t quite cover it.

onto other things for now~back at ya later for updates. Have a great day, all.

Heidijoysaid

Thanks again Bebe for taking us down memory lane. It is so fun to read everyone’s stories and what led us to this “Good Place”.

Wanted to say Annie that I’m so glad Jacob is doing better. Will keep praying.

I must say to Skydancer Yes I remember those dances where the girls stood on one side and the boys on the other. I rememeber as a “Tall” girl that the best dancers were the short guys but I didn’t care. We really loved to dance.

Thnking of all going to Arizona and wish you all well. David probably will be pleasantly surprised at all the LOVE. I’m so anxious to hear how Pattirae is doing. Sending postive vibes to all.

Abrrasaid

I was out shopping this afternoon when my phone began to buzzz with text messages. I looked down and saw that Angelica was attempting to communicate with me. Here is the conversation exactly as it shows on my phone

Angelica: At
Angelica: Lol
Angelica: Idk

So I surmise she must not be talking to me? Maybe just cuz I was the last person she spoke with last night, my name is first in her text que.

Me: Angelica you are texting Abrra and making no sense. Lol you must mean someone else?
Angelica: i mean you but I am uselessly incoherent at the airport with LuvieD…spazzing. She is wearing my red hat!!! Phhhhfffftttt!!!

Me: Need pics please. Hugs to LuvieD

Lovely LuvieD wearing the hat.

Then she sends 2 more pics

Lovely Miss Angelica wearing her red finery.

Partners in crime :)

They are in the air now. I asked them to send any pics they can from the various events and concert. I wished them and their pilot a safe flight.

And Djafan is road tripping. She sent this picture of the view as she arrived in AZ.
I’m in Arizona!!!~ Djafan

bebereadersaid

Idk about you but my fangirlying is way out of control today!!!! I heard from djafan and her sis-in-law who have arrived in Arizona. (Nice pic above!) They had a few mishaps and a late start 1) dja couldn’t find her keys 2) her cat “Lucky” was in the car when she was about to leave. LOL I had to laugh; they’re referring to themselves as “Thelma and Louise”.

Annie, I was so glad to hear that Jacob is making an improvement. Continued prayers to him. Looking forward to seeing your video of David onstage.

cb, I understand what you mean. It was all about the music for me too back then. I don’t think I was able to recognize or appreciate a good voice. And if someone pointed out to me “THAT’S A GOOD VOICE!” it didn’t phase me unless I liked the song.

poof, Loved your description of why David is so exceptional to us. Let me count the ways. Methinks your friend has been convinced!

Sky, I vaguely remember Cotillion. Have to think about it some more. Perhaps it went by a different name on the east coast. But I definitely remember school dances with boys on one side of the room and girls on the other.

Amb4da, What fun reading your comment! “I almost felt like I was watching myself…” ;) from comic books to Tiger Beat, to Neil to country to waiting for tickets to records on sale. I could go on and on. Don’t ever apologize for a long comment. I was sorry when your’s ended!

Madeline, Thank you for your heartfelt comment and
Please stop by here again!

In the article mentioned an email from South America, ¿¿perhaps it refers to my mail?
I’m jumping from emotion, but I wonder, am I the only Latina who will send an email to Ms. Barbara?
It seems that still, I’m the only gladys in archieworld.

bebereadersaid

“We are in Houston. Missed our connection because light said door was open but pilot said that was bogus. Delayed 45 minutes so now we are on two separate flights into Phoenix. Have a three-hour wait. LuvieD has a standby tic for 3 pm flight with me. Say a prayer she gets on or she won’t get to Phoenix til 9:37!!!! I will lock her out of the hotel room by then cause my curfew is 9:30 :)) . O. M. G….She is standing right next to me, talking with me and sending me a text! She just saw an airport defibrillator and suggested stealing it for the concert too. I am so locking her out tonight.”

(She sent this pic)

And from SandyBeaches
Ah, here’s the hockey bag that holds the Sports Bag that will hold our best wishes tomorrow here in Arizona. I waited anxiously as it was one of the last pieces to appear on the carousel. I saw it just as David was tweeting about his interviews! Yeah for the interviews!

After reading Angelica’s text—why did I get the vision in my mind of she and LuvieD parachuting into the alien landing circle–where the concert is being held–as David sings the NA–holding on to their red hats for dear life!!!! ;) I don’t think that’s on the program. :D

bebereadersaid

skydancer1xsaid

thanks for the pics abrra♥ we were so lucky that Elena and her BF were there! that second one from the bottom, at #54….
mostly older crowd there looks like.
why is the lady in blue, tickling him on the chin with a piece of paper?HA

Abrrasaid

Yeah Abs—that’s a likely story—I’m not buyin it for one second–
she is getting toooo close–he probably had his normal ninja reaction (moves his head away) the second after this picture was snapped.
He’s faster than a speeding bullet. I’m going to go search for my bib now, if this picture fest keeps up. 8O

Abrrasaid

“Barring any glitches such as poor cellphone signal, security, cellphone malfunctions, solar flares, etc we are hoping to broadcast via UStream David Archuleta’s set from the Constitution Fair, Saturday, September 17th. It should be a go as we have 3 cellphones thus far set up with ATT, Verizon, and Sprint – so our bases are covered. We will be tweeting updates on the status of this … if you don’t go to twitter, check the twitter live blog that will be posted and our facebook page .. and the 24/7 chat on the right side bar.
Planned channel below — and along with some FanScene staff, the lovely ladies at FansOfDavid will be moderating the Ustream chat.”

pocoelsysaid

My story’s pretty much like CB#24, never been fan of any artists or movie stars. The first time I saw David on AI audition I thought to myself “how in the world that this young man never been discovered by any agents, he’s got good look (understatement!), that voice and he’s so loveable!!! He should be a big star now”, little did I know…3 years has passed I’m still here listening to everything he sings including his OOOhhh Ahhhh lalaa yeahhh noooo ect. lol, read the book he wrote, wating and hang on to every you tube vid like poor puppy beging for treats haha, saving money for 3 years to buy 4th row tickets ha… and waited 3 years for his out of this world concert to unleash my over the top fangirling like never before, seriously. Not slowing down anytime soon or ever, once a Fangirl always a Fangirl is truer than true when it comes to David.

Thanks for the pictures the vids you all posted above, beautiful.

Angelica and LuvieD, Nice bright striking red hats you gal have there, I can see them from here in Malaysiaaaa lol, lovely.

For those who get to see David tonight, I’m sure you will have load of fun, go “inspire” and “move” David, the way he did to us. I’ll be waiting here for every tiny bits of detail (im)patiently.

A blogger talks about David and the upcoming Pandora Unforgettable Holiday Moments on Ice”

A pair of pandoras
By Lynn Trimble

Recently I spoke with Archuleta, who shared that his mother “drug him out on the dance floor” just a few days before. Archuleta grew up in a house full of music and dance — with mom dancing salsa and dad playing jazz.

He’s known to many for achieving top two status on “American Idol” during the show’s seventh season, where he broke young hearts and captured several older ones by singing John Lennon’s “Imagine.”

So how did Archuleta’s own musical journey begin? “It was musicals that got me into music,” he recalls. Archuleta recalls singing along at home with a recording of the 10th anniversary performance of “Les Miserables.” After his mom printed out some sheet music from the show, says Archuleta, he learned his very first song. It was “Castle on a Cloud.”

Archuleta will be performing holiday music during the “Pandora Unforgettable Holiday Moments on Ice” show. He recalls his own early attempts at ice skating at an outdoor rink in Utah, where he grew up. It’s tough to find those outdoor rinks in Florida, where Archuleta was born.

“The first time I was afraid I might fall and slip,” recalls Archuleta. But on a recent ice skating adventure just a few months ago in California, he managed to stay on his feet the whole time — probably because he spent a fair amount of time roller blading in his teens.

Archuleta says he’s excited about performing with so many national and Olympic skating champions because his family always watched the Olympics on television when he was growing up. Ice skating was one of their favorite Olympic events to enjoy together. “The Olympics,” reflects Archuleta, “brings everyone together.”

I don’t expect much ice skating from the Arizona Women’s Theatre Company, which presents its second annual “Pandora Showcase” at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts Nov 11, 12, 18 and 19. Their thing is presenting original works by women playwrights. It’s a whole other type of balancing act.

bebereadersaid

“Barring any glitches such as poor cellphone signal, security, cellphone malfunctions, solar flares, etc we are hoping to broadcast via UStream David Archuleta’s set from the Constitution Fair, Saturday, September 17th. It should be a go as we have 3 cellphones thus far set up with ATT, Verizon, and Sprint – so our bases are covered. We will be tweeting updates on the status of this … if you don’t go to twitter, check the twitter live blog that will be posted and our facebook page .. and the 24/7 chat on the right side bar.
Planned channel below — and along with some FanScene staff, the lovely ladies at FansOfDavid will be moderating the Ustream chat.”

skydancer1xsaid

bluebarsaid

So in reply to Abrra’s #83, I would say Ray Charles said it (sang it) the best with his 1958 hit:
“The Night Time is the Right Time.” And, I’ll paraphrase the rest: “to be with the one – and only one – we presently love!!”
I love this video view of David’s soundcheck-by-starlight… and his singing Falling Stars, no less!”
That move at .50 put me over the moon!

Thanks again, Abrra and everyone here at The Voice for all the beautiful articles, photos, comments and videos.
Tonight’s show promises “everything and more” from David and his band!. I got guacamole and chips and MoTab during this day’s wait, cause I ain’t going nowhere far from the computer screen.

Also, a special thanks to Angelica, SB and Djafan for planning a “fan-event” within the Constitution Fair! And, to everyone helping out and meeting up each other once more, have a wonderful day… and, the most glorious night under the stars!

pocoelsysaid

Thanks for the pictures #81 and 82 Oh man.. it’s 11.35 pm here in Malaysia now I was ready to go to sleep.. now how can I go to sleep when I have no choice but to stare at those eyes :)

Went to a Japanese restaurant they played David’s “crush” I was sooo excited and happy it made our dinner all the more delicious and enjoyable :). Oh and went to see this movie “Johny English” starring Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean) it was sooo funnyyy, one of… a not to be missed movie… I laughed till I cried haha, love it.

Bebe,
Thanks for the picture of David with Firefly, they look cute and happy with our guy don’t they.

Night everyone :) back to stare at those pictures for another half an hour lol :) at least.

emmegirlsaid

Got stuck on a couple of videos after going to youtube to watch the interview. It’s safer to watch it here, you can’t get sucked into all the other vids that lead to another one, and another one, and another one…

skydancer1xsaid

Blueberry Icesaid

Hello to everyone! It’s a great morning! Sooo excited for tonight!!!!!!!!

Thanks to Djafan, Angelica, SB, SweetonDA and all for organizing such a wonderful welcoming for David!

Sky; So sorry to hear about your change in plans. Sending you a hug!

Bebe; “… through being a fan of his we are better than we were before.” Oh Bebe, so well said, as you have perfectly captured my feelings, too! I guess I was different as my fangirl experience growing up was being a sports fan, thanks to my father who was a big football and baseball fanatic. So I have a little inkling of being a “fan” but never dreamed of the phenomenal journey and the life enriching experience I’ve had since becoming a follower of David … and the cyberspace friendship has been rewarding as well! :) So I’m with all of you, committed, hooked and gladly fanatical in supporting an amazing musical genius and the genuine wonderful person that I’ve come to admire and greatly respect!

Talk to you later … that’s if I’m still coherent, lol!

blueskysaid

90 Betsy and Emmegirl: “The camera made me do it!” (Heck, they probably had to replace the camera. Not to mention the crew.) ^_^
… (“Feel woozy. I think I suddenly need time off work.” “Did you say performance at 6?” “I might revive.”)

Barring any glitches such as poor cellphone signal, security, cellphone malfunctions, solar flares, etc we are hoping to broadcast via UStream David Archuleta’s set from the Constitution Fair, Saturday, September 17th. It should be a go as we have 3 cellphones thus far set up with ATT, Verizon, and Sprint – so our bases are covered. We will be tweeting updates on the status of this … if you don’t go to twitter, check the twitter live blog that will be posted and our facebook page .. and the 24/7 chat on the right side bar.
Planned channel below — and along with some FanScene staff, the lovely ladies at FansOfDavid will be moderating the Ustream chat.
From the Constitution fair website :

Saturday, September 17th, 2011, at 6pm PAC time
(Gates open at 5:30pm. No early seating.)

I’m Central Time—does this mean it”ll be about 9:15 my time—if so should chat start earlier? So we can bounce of the walls together pre- concert–cause our attention will be on the Ustream broadcast during our regular chat time. 8O Just askin!! Or am I all screwed up on the time?

Saturday, September 17th, 2011, at 6pm PAC time
(Gates open at 5:30pm. No early seating.)

betsysaid

Dak, I am EST and we are 3 hours ahead of AZ, you are 2 hours ahead. So yes, you are right.
Making a pot of coffee. I have a feeling I’ll need it.
My trip up north was delayed by a couple of days. Glad I’ll be here watching the concert with everyone via ustream.

betsysaid

Think I’ll go for a walk.
Better take the tiara off. I’ve been wearing one all day. Idk why, lol.
I found it while cleaning the house this morning. It’s not mine, I don’t normally laze around in camo pj’s (my son’s) and a tiara, but I did today. :0